Blogs from Salve, Apulia, Italy, Europe

October 15 And then just like that, when you think you are ready to go home, you have another amazing day! Yesterday was like that. We got up early and fed the cats and soon were out the door. We went into Salve (nearest town) and to Caffe Roma, the bar that Catherine and I discovered over the weekend. This time we sat at an outside table in the piazza rather than standing at the bar. Sam had espresso, I had a cappuccino and we shared a chocolate cornetto. It was wonderful. Nearby 4 old men sat together on a bench. They didn't seem to talk much, but they sat together, just as they have probably done for most of their lives. Next we went into the panetteria and bought some focaccia that was filled with ... read more

October 10 - Four weeks since landing in Madrid Yesterday morning we woke up and went down to find the hotel owner, Joseph and his father, Isidoro waiting to serve us breakfast. Joseph immediately said to Sam, "I looked at your passport; you are Italian!" He said that he knew many people in the area with the last name "Petrillo." He seemed so pleased. We talked all through our breakfast of cappuccini, croissants, and cookies. The news was on, so many comments were made about Italy's government woes as well as the ridiculous situation in the United States right now. No one in Europe can believe it. For one, they don't know what's wrong with universal healthcare, and they think that the behavior of the Tea Party is no different than childish playground antics. Ok, back ... read more